Talking Sports with Lacrosse pro Geoff Snider

Geoff Snider, a Calgary Roughnecks and Hamilton Nationals transition player, recently took time to do an interview with The Capital Sports Report. His interview is about his lacrosse career.

TCSR: Ice Hockey is a very big sport in Canada. How big is the sport of lacrosse in Canada?

GS: “Lacrosse is still growing, but hockey is the primary focus. There are tons of different sports here, giving people a variety of things to do. Lacrosse has taken a life of its own here, and we’re lucky to have a couple of professional teams here. It is a great sport to play.”

Canada (Photo by Pixabay.com)

TCSR: Why did you chose to attend the University of Denver?

GS: “I ended up choosing Denver, because of the opportunity that I got. I was being recruited by several different schools. I received an offer from Denver that I could not say no to, in terms of a scholarship package. Denver is also a fantastic university and has a good lacrosse program, which is what I was looking for at that time. I was looking for a school, where I could go to school and play lacrosse. It turns out that lacrosse would be footing the bill for my schooling. I’m glad how everything turned out.”

TCSR: What does it mean to you to have the single-season NCAA record with a 194 ground balls? A record that still stands to this day.

GS: “It is great. It is an honor and a record that I’m honored to have. I never thought how important ground balls were until I got to college. It kind of took a life of its own, and it turns out that playing transition is a position that I really enjoy. It is a stat that I’m honored and proud to have. There are a lot of good players out there, so I’m honored to still have this record. I’ll see how long that record lasts.”

TCSR: Do you still stay in touch with the Denver program since you’ve left?

GS: “We have a program up here in Calgary called the Elite lacrosse program, the same program is also based in Denver. It just so happens that players can go down there to Denver and generate scholarship opportunities. The camps are run by Matt Brown, the Denver Pioneers Associate Head Coach. In addition, it is pretty amazing what coach (Bill) Tierney has done with the program in the past few years that he’s been at the school. What they have done in taking the program to the next level is amazing, and I try to stay in contact wit them as much as possible.”

TCSR: What did it mean to you to be drafted by the Denver Outlaws in the 2006 MLL draft?

GS: “It was a huge honor. Any time you are drafted in professional sports, its a big deal. I was thrilled to stay in Denver. I was excited to be apart of that organization and continue to live in Denver. I was pleased about being apart of that program.”

TCSR: What did it mean to you to be drafted by the Philadelphia Wings in the 2006 NLL draft?

GS: “It is an NLL team with tons of history. They have won multiple championships, and have had a lot of success. The fans in Philadelphia are thoroughly amazing, and I loved playing in front of them. They are arguably one of the best fan bases in the league and in all of sports. I enjoyed playing for them. They having an amazing organization, and I’ve played for some very good coaches there. I also learned a lot about myself there.”

TCSR: You helped the Canadian National Men’s Lacrosse team to their first world championship since 1978 in 2006. In that competition, you were named the tournament MVP. What did that mean to you?

GS: “It was a huge honor. It is incredibly flattering, but I was more proud of the success of our team. I was proud to be apart of the team that hasn’t done that in more than 30-years. It was such a pleasure helping my team to that world championship.”

TCSR: What did it mean to you to play in the 2007 MLL All-Star game?

GS: “It was so long ago, but I remember the game was played in Boston. Any time you get to play with the best players in the world of Major League Lacrosse, you are very honored. I was happy to be apart of that.”

TCSR: Could you talk about being named the 2008 NLL All-Star game MVP?

GS: “The 2008 game was played in Edmonton, so it was good to play in front of my friends and family. It was very flattering to be picked for the game. I was honored to win the MVP award.”

TCSR: Could you talk about missing the 2009 All-Star game due to injury?

GS: “I had a very bad injury and had to spend a week in the hospital. It sucked to be honest, but it is what it is. I was more disappointed that I would miss several weeks for the Wings than anything else. It was frustrating, but the important thing is that you’re healthy and are able to continue to play.”

TCSR: What did it mean to you to help the Toronto Nationals, now the Hamilton Nationals, to the 2009 MLL championship?

GS: “It was great. I won that championship with many of my great friends. We ended up beating the Denver Outlaws in the finals for that championship, a team that I previously went to several MLL championships with when I played for them. It was exciting. I’m proud to put that achievement up on the wall, and be able to say that I won that championship with the Nationals in 2009.”

TCSR: Could you talk about being traded to the Calgary Roughnecks in 2010 from the Philadelphia Wings for a draft pick?

GS: “I was very surprised and had no idea that it was coming. I figured that I would have spent the rest of my career in Philadelphia. I would have been happy to do so, but the thing that was shocking the most was that I was traded. But at the time, I was excited to be traded to Calgary, my hometown. I was excited to get back here, and we have a great group of guys. I was really excited about being able to come home. Things are great here and I’m happy. I look forward to playing the rest of my career here.”

TCSR: You said in your previous statement that you would have liked to stay in Philadelphia for the rest of your career. If things don’t work out in Calgary, do you see a time where you could return?

GS: “No, I plan on retiring in Calgary. Calgary is my home, and I’m building a business here. All my relationships are here. We have been very successful since I arrived, and I hope we can continue that for many years to come.”

TCSR: Do you feel any extra pressure playing in your hometown?

GS: “No, I love playing here. I love being in this community, and being involved in the community. I am involved by being a coach, which is my way of giving back.”

TCSR: You have played numerous years in the indoor game and the outdoor game. Do you favor one over the other?

GS: “I was born in the indoor game, so I’m partial to that game. The pace of the outdoor game is a lot of fun. I’m happy that I get to play the game I love at the professional level in both leagues. I’m thrilled about being able to play in both leagues.”